Statistics

We have been chosen.

A few days ago we received a letter informing us that our address had been chosen to be a part of the U.S. Census Bureau survey. "Oh fun!" I thought to myself. "I like filling out surveys and questionnaires!"

And then it came.

This baby is a 30 page book with an accompanying pamphlet to serve as a guide for filling it out. The fine print informs that "The Census Bureau estimates that, for the average household, this form will take 38 minutes to complete, including the time for reviewing the instructions and answers." They haven't met us, obviously.

I spent a good hour this afternoon checking little boxes. I feel no animosity that Nate gets to be Person 1 and I have to be Person 2. While laboring over page thirteen, Person 3 sent me a text asking me to bring his football pants to school. "Sure!" I replied, "But not until I pick up Person 6, Person 7, and Person 5." Then I took a break to nurse Person 10.

So here is the general overview of the people who live at this address as the U.S. Census Bureau sees us:

Person 1, a 34 year old white male who is not of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin, is living at this address. He is married to Person 2, a 32 year old white female who is also not of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin and who also resides at this address.

Persons 3-10 are their biological sons and daughters. They are also white, not of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.

These People live in a one-family house detached from any other house. It was built between 1970 and 1979 on less than an acre. There is no business or medical office on the property. The house consists of six rooms (excluding bathrooms, porches, balconies, foyers, halls, or unfinished basements) three of them being bedrooms. The house has hot and cold running water, a flush toilet, a bathtub or shower, a sink with a faucet, a stove or range, a refrigerator, and telephone service. Two vehicles are kept at the home for use by members of this household.

And so on and so forth.

I had to chuckle when I got to the part that broke it down person by person and wanted to know details about their education, income, and physical, mental, and emotional conditions. For example:

Questions 18

a. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficultly concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?

It's a good thing they clarified about the cause being a specific condition. Person 4 and 5 have an awfully hard time choosing a candy bar. Depending how many little people need her and are whining at her feet, Person 2 sometimes has a very difficult time concentrating. As does Person 6. Persons 3, 6, and 7 have a very hard time remembering where they put things. (and sometimes forget to bring their football pants to school)

b. Does this person have a hard time walking or climbing stairs?

Persons 3-9 have a hard time climbing the stairs that lead to their rooms. But this difficulty only seems to occur at bedtime.

c. Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?

Persons 3, 4, and 5 make it difficult for anyone after them to have hot showers.

Question 19: Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?

Persons 8-10 make it very difficult for Person 2 to visit the doctor's office, shop, go to the dentist, talk on the phone, exercise, go to the bathroom uninterrupted, etc. etc. etc. I'm just sayin'.

Ok, I better wrap this up because Person 10 is crying and I'm pretty sure that Person 9 needs his diaper changed. Persons 5-9 are watching tv and I should be making supper while they are quiet.

No Acrophobia Here

See them? If you don't, scroll down.

The rest of the crew stayed down like sane people. I protested as Nate leaned near the edge with his phone, trying to get a good photo from the heights. Jack chimed in very matter-of-factly, "If Dad falls, we're gonna have to get a new dad."

The Question of the Day

Everly is one month old, but according to her ever-so-wise, still in diapers himself, big brother Toby, she is still "the New Baby". Like, that's her name. He can say "the Ah-ver-lee" and he says it with such a charming English accent, but for the most part he calls her The New Baby. So I'm wondering when that newness will wear off. When she'll become a regular old part of the crew and her celebritydom will cease to exist according to her big brother.

Will it be when her infant acne finally clears up and her skin returns to it's original porcelain state? Or maybe when (please dear Lord) she starts sleeping through the night. Right now she's very bi-polar when it comes to sleeping, some nights are awesome, some are miserable. According to Noelle, she's nocturnal.

Maybe her newness will fade when she spits up on big brother for the first time. Not so cute when she's projecting goo all over you is she Tobes? Maybe it will be when he loses interest in her "toys". The pacifier is so enthralling and what two year old boy can resist trying to sit in a gorgeous pink and brown bouncy seat?

Is she still new until she quits bathing in the kitchen sink and finally moves to the tub with the rest of the big kids, soaking amongst the squirty toys? Is it when we have to start picking up choking hazards because she is on the move? Maybe she isn't the new baby any more when she starts pulling hair and biting. Maybe when she says her first words.

I don't know when. I know right now it feels like she is such a mystery. I find myself looking at her and wondering who she is and who she's going to be. While at the same time it feels like she's been here forever and I can't remember life without her. I think in my mind, all of my kids are still "the new baby". Even the 14 year old in football cleats. Do you think he would be embarrassed if I started calling him that from the bleachers?

I Can Explain

The cup holders in my van tell a story. Actually, five little stories. Here, let me share them with you. It's bound to be mesmerizing.

Story number one. The fake Sigg bottle on the left. I bought water bottles for the kids and went with not-plastic because I am starting to believe the buzz about plastic but that's a whole different post for another day that I probably will never get around to writing. Probably because I have spent too many years drinking out of plastic bottles and now my brain is fried. Anyways, I bought the kids bottles and I couldn't resist the super cute ones with designs and everything and I paid a few bucks more for the pretty pretties and Spiderman ones. Then Nate expressed interest in a bottle of his own so I picked up a manly grey one that just happened to be cheaper, yay! It turns out the screw- in seal is crap and totally doesn't work just a month after I bought it. Awesome. (Hey, I never said these would be stories with an actual point.)

Story number two. The Starbucks cup, front and center. We drive up to the little speaker thingy and I order a Decaf Venti Caramel Macchiato. After pulling around to the pick up window the man hands me my drink and I realize what a difference one little left out word can make. "Iced". Dang it, I wanted iced. Shattered Expectations. It's not that I don't like hot Caramel Macchiatos, I was just all geared up that I was getting an iced one. Nothing like a five dollar cup of disappointment.

Story number three. Blue streamers in the back. Needed to wrap a present at the last minute and didn't have any wrapping paper and we were running out the door so I grabbed a roll of tape and the obvious solution, streamers. Wrapped it in the car on the way there. (This is the part where you make a note to self about never inviting me to your birthday party)

Story number four. The toothbrushes on the right. Last week I secured my place in the insanity hall of fame by taking seven kids to the dentist on the same day. At the same time. I guess my philosophy is the same as the dentist. Get all the pain over with at once. I picked them all up from school and we headed out. Thus the toothbrushes. No dentist wants to see what a kids had for lunch stuck between their teeth. I have no idea who's brush is who's so I just grabbed the whole lot of them and put them in the logical place...the cup holder.

Story number five. The receipt behind the toothbrushes. It's a receipt for a pack of gum. Exciting huh?!

So there you have it. The why behind the mess. The chaos explained. This is all I can handle in one post, I'm not even going to begin to tell the stories from the rest of the van. It would be a novel.

Everly's Birth Story

Just a heads up for those of you with a weak constitution or any men who don't want to read about the details of labor and delivery, you might want to skip this post. You have been warned.

We have late babies. It's not uncommon for me to go a few days or up to a week past my due date. It became our normal and so during my pregnancy with Everly, I just expected it. Turns out she was an on-time little lady, being born smack dab on her due date.

The evening before was our church's potluck and baptism. Braxton hicks had become a way of life for the last week or two and so I was used to a contraction here or a contraction there. That evening I knew something was different. I sat on a lawn chair at the city park with a huge plateful of food on my ginromous lap and I had the thought..."what if it really is labor? Do you want to see this devil egg again?" But like a good pregnant lady, I snarfed down every last morsel on that plate, even the peanut butter pie. Especially the peanut butter pie.

Then we headed over to the swimming pool for baptisms. Since Nate was going to be in the water helping with the baptisms, I figured I better give him a head's up. Just in case I had one of those moment like you see in the movies, one huge contraction, eyes popping out of the head, and declaring "It's time to go to the hospital, we're having a baby!". As I sat beside the pool the contractions kept coming about fifteen minutes apart or so. Nate kept giving me questioning looks but it was all good. No sudden turn of events.

We figured the best plan was to just go home, go to bed, and if it was real then labor would wake me up. So that's what we did. Nate fell asleep immediately, I laid there wide awake in anticipation. But not before packing my hospital bag. I packed my bag right before I got into bed. Procrastination is my middle name. I was able to fall asleep for a little while but sure enough, every ten minutes a contraction would wake me up. I got up out of bed and walked around for awhile and they were getting pretty uncomfortable. At few minutes before 2 am I woke Nate up and told him that we should probably head up to the hospital. He was tired, I was tired, and we both were wishing we could just hit pause, catch a good nap, and then do this later. No such luck. We called to have my mom come over and stay with the kids and we headed out.

Walking from the parking lot to the entrance caused a couple more doozies of contractions. They asked me if I wanted a wheel chair to get to the other side of the hospital or did I want to walk? I opted to walk and then halfway there, regretted it. Wow, these were some painful contractions. Not fun at all. When we got to OB they did all the stuff they do. Paper work and hooking me up to a whole bunch of machines and all of that business. The nurse asked how dilated I was at my last appointment. I was at 2 cm and maybe 50% effaced. She informed me that I was exactly the same, nothing had changed, in fact the baby was still really high. This is where I had a moment of "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" I was so, so shocked and sad. What in the world were all of those contractions doing all evening? Seriously? Dang it.

It took about an hour for them to take care of all of the stuff they had to do to get us admitted. They called the doctor, gave her the update on where I was at and she gave me two choices. I could get an epidural and try to rest or I could get up and walk around and try to get things moving. I opted to just lay there and weigh my choices. By now the nurses had left the room, Nate was chilling on the couch, and I was deep in negotiations with myself. The contractions kept coming, painful but not too bad. I was tired. I wanted to sleep, but I also just wanted to get this over with. If it was going to go on for hours, I just wanted that epidural and a nap. But what if I got up and walked, maybe it would happen soon. For about 20 minutes I laid there, thinking.

Then there was a contraction that felt different. Lower. Weirder. I told the nurse and asked if she could check to see if anything was different. I was hoping for a five, maybe even a six. At this point her eyes popped out of her head. She said, "You're complete!" in a panicked voice. And the flurry of commotion began. They called the doctor, started running around the room in preparation, and I just laid there. Seriously? That was it? We are ready to push? Alrightythen.

Since the doctor lives about twenty minutes away, she knew she wouldn't make it in time. So they called in a local doctor, a good friend of ours. But while he was on his way, they brought the ER doc in. He stood by the bed and waited, just in case any baby catching was suddenly needed. And yet I had no overwhelming urge to push. The contractions were still coming five to six minutes apart and they really weren't that bad. Turns out my water still wasn't broken and that was just enough to keep things from progressing all the way. When the local doc arrived a few minutes later, he took over for the ER doc and stood guard. Again, no overwhelming urge to push, so we just stayed in limbo. Limbo with feet in stirrups is no fun but whatevah.

Finally the OB came walking into the room and was very surprised to see that we hadn't delivered yet. She got all gloved up and said "Let's do this." She broke my water and wham, there it went. I'm just going to skip the description of pushing because all mothers know there are no words that can capture it completely. No words except for OhMyGoshWhenWillThisBeOver?

And then there she was. Another moment that there are no words for. A Holy moment. She was beautiful. Seven pounds, five ounces of me and Nate. And yet her very own person. How can anyone not profess that it is a complete miracle?

Everything went great after that, for a couple hours. Then, as they were about to take her away so that Nate and I could rest, everything turned bad. I really, really, really had to go to the bathroom. I must have consumed a lot of fluids before labor. The nurse accompanied me to the restroom, as is protocol. This is the conversation that followed, Nate listened from the next room.

Me: "I'm a little dizzy."
Her: "Are you ok?"
Me: "Yeah, I'm ok."
Me: " No, actually, I'm really dizzy."

And then loss of consciousness. She called for Nate to come help while she pulled the nurse call button. Nate and the other nurse went in search of a wheel chair. I don't remember any of this. I do remember a wheel chair to my right and them saying they were going to put me in it. I remember not really caring either way. Nate says my eyes were open the whole time but it was clear that no one was home. My face had gone completely white from such a rapid loss of blood. It turns out I had majorly hemorrhaged, my uterus hadn't been contracting and tightening down. They got me back in the bed and by then had called a code blue. This brought the ER doc, the lab, and a whole bunch of other people to the room. By now I was on oxygen and my IV was hooked back up. I was conscience by now. I remember laying there, looking up at the ceiling in a haze. Weirdest feeling ever.

Nate and the nurses kept asking my questions, trying to keep me awake. I was just so tired. I knew by now that I was going to be ok, but I just didn't have the energy to do anything except nod. So tired. So, so tired. They gave me a shot of something or another in my leg and a bunch more pitocin in the IV. Then they proceeded to practically pound on my stomach to get that dang uterus to tighten back down.

And it did. And I was fine.

We opted to turn away visitors for the first few hours. Both of us were exhausted physically and emotionally. We slept most of the morning and then we were ready to see friends and family by noon. It was a story we didn't share with our kids. The older ones got the modified version.

And so that is how Everly came into this world. It's funny how just three weeks later, it seems like she's always been here. Recovery has been a lot slower than the other births. We've had a lot going on, life just doesn't seem to slow down at all. But I'm trying to cut myself some slack and just take more time to sit and hold her. This morning she smiled at me for the first time. How is it that no matter if it's the first baby, or the eighth baby, one little smile can absolutely melt you and bring tears to your eyes.?

I guess it's just the awe of a little bundle of miracle.

Saying Goodbye

Times like these are why God invented waterproof mascara.

Ten years is a long time. It's enough time to really get to know people. It's enough time to grow best friends. It's enough time for those friends to become like family. Apparently God is saying that ten years is enough time. Yesterday our best friends moved away.

I keep thinking about all the things that have happened in those ten years. When we first met Bill and Natalie, we had two toddlers and a baby girl. They were newlyweds. They had just moved to town to be the youth pastors at our church. We were invited to their apartment for tacos and they asked us if we wanted to serve alongside them. That night began a journey that I don't even have words for.

We were a part of their lives when they had their first child, a scary, life threatening ordeal. And we watched again when their daughter was born not too much later. We've dreamed together and served beside each other. They have been here to share in the joy of five of our kids being born. There have been countless dinners shared, countless laughs over dessert and coffee, countess hugs and tears. There have been nights of crying out to God together in prayer, early morning breakfasts, and hours sitting beside each other in the sun at the pool.

In the ten years they lived here, they moved about five times but it was always just across town or to another apartment and then finally into their own house. This time though, as we packed the boxes, it was for good. Those boxes will be unpacked in another state. And we won't be there to help.

Of course our friendship doesn't end here. Of course we are excited for them and for what God has in store for them. But that doesn't mean we aren't going to mourn the phase of life that is ending.

I thank God that He allows us to love so deeply and to become such a part of each others' hearts.

It just makes it very difficult to say good bye.

Miscellany

Newborn babies demand a lot of awestruck staring. Sorry I haven't been around, I've been cooing and talking jibberish to an adorable little bundle of pinkness.

And we've been up to other stuff. Everly is two weeks old. In that two weeks we have:

• Had a visit from all three of my out-of-state brothers and their wives and/or girlfriends. (Two are married, one has a girlfriend, not whatever else you were thinking)
• Had a visit from two ladies I know from the internet who are not axe murderers. *phew!*
• Gone shopping with my 7th grader for all things volleyball related.
  
• Been a single mom of eight for three days while Nate was out of town.
• Caught a killer cold. While he was out of town. Does it get any funner?
• Freshman football games.
• Played nurse when Husband catches the cold/flu/whatever it is and ends up on the couch for three days.
• Gone to a baby shower for a dear friend.
• Had a super fun visit from a now-living-far-away-crazy-family that we miss so much.
• Snuggled a baby girl. A lot.

In other news, Caedmon broke out in an itchy rash all over his torso yesterday. Immediately I thought "chicken pox" and kept him home from school today. I took him in to the doctor this afternoon and low and behold...poison ivy. Seriously?! But it gets even better. They put him on some steroids and warned me that it might cause HYPERACTIVITY! That I might not want to give it to him after 4 pm or he might have trouble sleeping. Ohgoodgracious no. No, no, no.
But so far, so good. He is sounds asleep in his bed. Phew.

And with that, I'm off to bed. Miss Everly is asleep and I should be too.

An "In The Meantime" Meme

I've been meaning to write up Everly's birth story but just haven't found the time yet. Imagine that...

I saw Linda created this Meme and I thought it might buy me a few more days. Plus I couldn't resist the graphic, it was making me hungry.




1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration?

Myself a treat. Usually Reeses Peanut Butter Cups or a Snickers. Hey, I was good in the store...I bribe myself.

2. What is something that people are currently "into" that you just don't get or appreciate?

Twitter. I feel like it's basically just Facebook status updates. I'll stick with Facebook.

3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel "ho-hum" about?

Do I have to say it? Podcasts. Particularly Matt Chandler, Mark Driscoll, and Francis Chan. The three tenors of sermons.


4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car?

It definitely not my favorite but it gets in my head and I CAN'T. GET. IT. OUT! Poker Face by dang old Lady Gaga. Uugh. Hate it.

5. A really great salad must have this ingredient:

Fruit of some kind. Yummy.

6. Advice in a nutshell to new bloggers (one or two sentences):

KISS. Keep it simple stupid.

7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you? Do you wish they had chosen it instead of the one they gave you?

If I was a boy, I was going to be Matthew. I'm glad I'm a girl.

8. What in your life are you waiting for?

A bigger house.

9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from?

It's chocolate from Ann.

10. Today--what song represents you?

In honor of my sister Mariah who just landed the role of Adalaide in the school play "Guys and Dolls" I choose Adalaide's Lament. Specifically because of the line "A person can develop a cold". Which I am. Dang it. Shouldn't there be a six week immunity for mother's who just gave birth? I really don't want a cold right now.

11. What is one thing that blogging has taught you about yourself?

That I need to enjoy the little things in life, the daily stuff with my kids.

12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you're wearing today? What do they say about you in general or specifically how you're feeling today?

They are pretty much the only ones that fit right now. Hooray for stretchy pants. What do they say about me? That I just had a baby. That I'm "thick". That I don't dare go anywhere in public with out my baby girl or people might ask when I'm due.

Thanks Linda for an easy post! You are a good meme maker.

Squeaky Clean

Everly's first bath. Photography by Gemma.

Everly Ivy is Home

Little Miss came home from the hospital today.

Everly Ivy

Hey all...Heth is up at the hospital enjoying the spa-type treatment that she gets at our local hospital's birthing center. She deserves it, so I'm more than happy to hold down the fort while she's up there. I'm not really holding anything though since I have received a ton of help from family.

Anyway, I have instructions to report here that we have an addition to the Laundry family in the form of a new daughter...Everly Ivy.

Born: 08.24.2009 @ 3:58 a.m.
Weight: 7lbs 5oz
Length: 20"

Heth will most certainly post up the birth story and whatnot when she comes home. But hopefully this will tide you all over until then.

-Nate

Still Nothing

No baby yet. But it's still early, I'm not due until Monday. That means we are looking at Tuesday or Wednesday at the earliest.

We are down to the last Sunday at church. You know, the one where you don't want to go because everyone will be saying "You're still here?" But if you don't go everyone will think you are at the hospital, giving birth. Maybe my answer to the "You're still here?" and "You haven't had that baby yet?" should be a snarky "No, I had it three days ago but we left it at home. And I'm still really, really fat."

The last week makes me so grouchy.

On a more cheerful note, things I am looking forward too:

• Nursing a newborn
• Wearing the baby in the Moby Wrap
• Being able to tie my own shoes
• Being able to roll over in bed in under 5 minutes

Still no names.
Still haven't packed my bag.

The Wedding

Wow.

I talked to my mom this afternoon, and we came to the conclusion that there are just no words even remotely adequate to describe the weekend. It went way too fast and we want to do it all over again at least three times so we can further enjoy it.

My little brother Gabe married a most beautiful, vibrant, giggly, amazing lady on Saturday. Watching the two of them together was pure joy. The ceremony was filled with elements of who they both are as people, including the most precious surprise song by the bride. I thought I was going to be able to keep it together until she started singing and then it was all over.

Either that or I was crying because of my feet. I bought my most favoritest shoes ever for the wedding. I tried to resist them in the store and it turns out they were irresistible. I had to have them. I went back for them. Standing on that stage, they were just painful enough to keep me distracted from the emotions of the ceremony. I kept my concentration, trying to discreetly shift my pregnant, front-heavy weight to prevent the balls of my feet from starting on fire. I questioned whether or not I would make it. But then Naomi sang and as I listened to those lyrics my feet faded into some distant place in the back of my mind.

Watching the two of them during their vows, while being prayed for by their parents, as they placed rings on each other's fingers was such a privilege. It is so clear that God brought them together and I'm so excited for their future together.

Here are some of my favorite moments from the weekend:

Naomi, the night before the wedding, sooo excited to be getting married!

The whole family.

Nate and Heth, all dressed up.

Kissing on a bench.

Gabe and Naomi with the ringbearers and flower girl. Jack walked down the aisle, carrying Toby under his armpits. Austin refused, he already did it right twice in rehearsal, three times was too much to ask. Gemma had been waiting for that moment her whole life and glided down the aisle.

Naomi and Gemma.

The reception was outside under a tent. It rained off and on, but nothing could put a damper on the gorgeous day. But you should see Gemma's dress....

We love you Gabe and Naomi. Happy Marriage to you!

More Than Just the Top Gun Love Theme Song

"Take My Breath Aaaaaaway." Brings back great memories doesn't it? Ahhh Goose, Iceman, and Tom Cruise in aviators. But that's not what this post is about.

Up until now, there have been certain things that have left me breathless. The list varies from person to person but mine included things such as:

• A slow, vibrant sunset
• A baby's belly laugh
• A good, long, kiss from my husband

It wasn't until recently that my list changed. A lot of things have been added, things you wouldn't expect. As my belly swells and my lung capacity lessens, my list now includes:

• Walking up the stairs
• Folding socks
• Unloading the dishwasher
• Making a sandwich

Etcetera, etcetera. Seriously, I attempt domesticness and then I have to sit down and rest. Who knew that pouring a bowl of cereal could be exhausting?!

Dude, I can't breathe any more. 38.5 weeks and we are in the home stretch. This weekend we head out of state for my little brother's wedding. (Shh, I haven't told my doctors.) The hope is that the baby stays put until we get back. But whether it's in our home town hospital or on the side of the interstate, I guarantee you that meeting this baby will take my breath away.

Now To Sharpen All Those #2 Pencils

Write this year down in the record books, the Laundry Pile family school supplies are purchased and there are still 13 days until school starts. It's unbelievable, really. Backpacks are packed, names have been Sharpied on every last item, and we are ready to line up for that first bell.

Not Gonna Be From The Top Ten

I am 37 weeks, 3 days. Might be a good idea to think of some names huh?!

I joke that we have used all the names that we agree on. It's somewhat true. The last few kiddos, we have implemented a new plan, he thinks of a boy name, I think of a girl name. Since we don't find out the sex ahead of time, one of us is declared the "winner" in the delivery room and names the poor child.

For one of our kids, we made two lists, boy and girl, of possible names on a napkin at Applebees. We rated the names and did the math as to which one was the winner. Pretty scientific huh? That napkin is in their baby book. It's the only thing in their baby book. At least that one HAS a baby book.

With the first four or five kids, I made a nightly ritual of combing the 1001 baby name book. I would lay in bed and night and throw out random names at Nate, only to be shut down. We did that until the binding on the book split and it had to be thrown away.

This time, I'm getting text messages. "How about ********?" And I reply. "No way." I'm still hanging on to the two names, boy and girl, that he hasn't particularly liked from day one. One of these days we will agree.

One of these 18 days left.

The Pool

It's my annual I-love-the-pool post. I do it every summer.

The town pool is irresistible to me. On any even slightly warmish, slightly sunnyish day, it sings it's siren song and my resistance crumbles. We don our summer uniforms consisting of trunks and tankinis and we load up the van. When we arrive, we parade through the shower room and take our positions. Everyone at the pool has their "spot". Ever so often an unknowing pool newbie will plop their stuff down in our spot. An opportunity for me to practice grace and mercy. The bag of pool toys gets dumped out for the pool community to share, and the begging for snacks begins. Because that is why my children come to the pool. To eat.

My number one pool pet peeve:

When people bring expensive, special toys to the pool and then guard them with their lives. This is the baby pool filled with lots of little people who haven't learned to share yet. Let's not perpetuate the problem. Let's share or let's just leave it home. Your kid can use my kids' cheap , plastic watering can, I don't mind.

So the one problem I run into is nap time. Every year I either have a baby or a toddler at the pool, nap time is tricky. Should I lay them down early in order to get it out of the way before we go or should I tempt fate and maybe they will sleep at the pool giving me a rare opportunity to sit down and not chase them all over kingdom come? Tough call.

Yesterday I tempted fate and Toby became my favorite child of the day. A little shade, a little Plumb on the iPod, all wrapped up in mom's favorite pool cover up, and he was out. It was a good day at the pool.

A Repost. Because I Need the Reminder

(This was originally posted on May 7th 2007)

Taming the Waddle: A How To.

The side to side sway of a pregnant woman in motion is endearing. That is as long as you aren't the actual pregnant woman. When you start logging more left-right miles than forward ones, you know you are officially waddling. I have put together this little How-To (or how-not-to) for the benefit of pregnant mothers everywhere.

The Why of the Waddle:

We can blame it on the hormones. Don't we blame everything on the hormones? Global warming? Must be the hormones. Crying over a stack of dirty dishes? Must be the hormones. Food going bad in the fridge? Hormones. But this one is legit. The hips are falling apart. Literally. Hormones cause all the ligaments in your hips to stretch and the cartilage to soften. A big ole baby has to pass through there, remember? And so, the way is prepared. But it leads to soreness in the hips and the classic waddle. Lovely.

Most of the time, around the house I just go with it. I sway and lumber around not caring how long it takes me to get across the room and definitely not caring how clumsy I appear. Oh my goodness, gracefulness went out the window many moons ago. But there are public situations where I would prefer to appear a bit more controlled. The side to side saunter isn't necessarily what I'm going for. So I try with all my might to appear to be a normal walking human being. Here is what I have come up with.

Concentration:
This is huge. Diverting your body from the natural way that it wants to cross the room is no small feat. This is going to take some serious focus. So gather your thoughts, pour every ounce of brain energy that you have into this. You may want to avoid conversing. This is no time to multi-task.

Eyes:
Now, following the theme of concentration, it might help you to focus your eyes on a specific point on the other side of the room near your destination. Lock on. Don't look to the left or the right. Again, we need to concentrate here.

Posture:
This is the time to practice everything your mother taught you. She didn't remind you to "stand up straight" for nothing. She had foresight. This is the moment to call upon that wisdom and put it into practice. So, tuck those hips back under yourself. Pull in whatever abs are holding on for dear life under that belly. Chest up, shoulders back. Whew! This is hard isn't it?!

Motion:
Ok, here we go. Now the most important thing is to keep those legs in line. They are going to want to turn out and go the path of least resistance, but we need to bring them under submission. At least until we get across the room. Take it slow, one foot in front of the other in a straight line. Keep the head up, keep the shoulders back. Avoid scowling. Seriously, you are going to want to scowl.

Once you have made it to your destination across the room, find a chair. That was a high impact workout, you deserve to sit down. Make sure you don't do too much too soon. You might want to work your way up from a few steps to a walk across the room. Eventually you may even be able to shop for an hour or so with out waddling. That is for the advanced student though, so don't push yourself.

I hope this was an informative tutorial. I am my own student, trying my best to glide across the room in this distorted body of mine. If you see me and I am walking, please don't try to talk to me. I'm concentrating.

Tub Talk

Three kids in the tub: Jack, Gemma, and Toby. I overhear the following conversation:

Jack: "Don't drink the water, people pee in it."
Gemma: "Like I did?"
Jack: "Like I'm doing right now."

A Short List

Things I love about summer that don't have anything to do with the pool:

• Fresh blueberries are finally affordable.
• So are cherries. So messy but so yummy.
• Bare feet not only inside but outside too.
• Spur of the moment marshmallow roasting on the deck.
• Eating way more than my fair share of marshmallows because I'm the mom.
• The hum of lawn mowers.
• Watching my flower beds change each year.
• The smell of chlorine (Sorry, I couldn't resist. I love the pool)

There are so many more things I love. What about you?